Overview
The Deputy Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Infrastructure for Basic Human Needs in Afghanistan (IBN) Project, including liaison and communication with stakeholders, and supporting the Senior Project Manager in managing the team, program, and contract.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, complete and update implementation of Project plan(s) and quarterly plans.
- Implement approved plans within tolerances set by Senior Management/Project Board.
- Embed sustainability dimensions into the project life span.
- Oversee teams to ensure production of required outputs and take responsibility for implementation progress.
- Ensure quality of work packages and deliverables complies with project plan requirements.
- Oversee liaison between teams and external suppliers.
- Advise Senior Project Manager of deviations from plan and corrective actions.
- Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages.
- Review and approve invoicing, progress verification of works, payments certification, procurement, managing construction companies, construction sites and dealing with Government authorities and other stakeholders.
- Monitor project progress through the monitoring team.
- Control project and work package changes.
- Accept works, goods or services delivered by suppliers.
- Lead contract management duties, including supplier performance evaluations.
- Lead review of project proposals.
- Lead and oversee planning and implementation of community support through implementing partners.
- Oversee and coordinate development and implementation of systems for internal control.
- Identify and anticipate potential risks and issues and advise on mitigating measures.
- Identify and report potential new business opportunities.
- Oversee and coordinate compliance with all organizational policies.
- Prepare/adapt relevant plans for approval.
- Manage reporting obligations.
- Oversee drafting of requirements for procurement processes.
- Support evaluation of submissions.
- Oversee effective implementation of corporate directives and guidelines.
- Oversee and coordinate interactions and management of contractors, grantees and suppliers.
- Provide support and guidance to grantees and assist in resolving site problems.
- Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations.
- Manage expenditures against the budget.
- Support formal handover of the project for engagement closure.
- Support project audit activities.
- Conduct and supervise Health & Safety, Social & Environmental (HSSE) issues and concerns.
- Perform HSSE management and inspections.
- Perform other duties as may be assigned by the SPM.
- Support Senior PM in preparation and issuing of regular project and/or financial reports.
- Oversee and review grantee and contractor compliance with contract specifications.
- Regularly review project status, evaluating performance criteria.
- Maintain diaries and progress reports.
- Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data within the one UNOPS Project (OuP) dashboard system.
- Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets.
- Assess work activities of contractor/s, measure completed works and make recommendations for progress payments.
- Review and endorse any design changes.
- Assist in building and developing capacity of other technical personnel in construction techniques.
- Provide technical advice and assistance to contractors.
- Monitor implementation of works by conducting site visits and providing guidance.
- Bring any situation requiring decision making involving variation and/or additional cost to the notice of SPM with details and recommendations.
- Develop stakeholder profiles and facilitate formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies.
- Establish solid working relationships with the Project Board, client and key stakeholders.
- Enable formulation of project communications plans.
- Coordinate internal project communications.
- Monitor effectiveness of project communications.
- Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication.
- Ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs.
- Develop project QA strategy and plan.
- Build capacity in the team to undertake QA.
- Ensure project meets QA requirements.
- Work with internal stakeholders to ensure project complies with audit requirements.
- Work with procurement/purchasing staff to ensure effective interface with suppliers' quality systems.
- Check all laboratory reports, operation and maintenance manuals, and keep records and report to SPM.
- Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables.
- Provide quality control for management outputs.
- Encourage routine and effective capacity-building activities.
- Actively interact with other Project Teams and the wider PT community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices.
- Contribute to oversight of lessons learned procedures.
- Participate in relevant Communities of Practice.
- Research and logging of lessons learned throughout the project life span.
- Provide feedback to Practice Groups on policy.
- Lead and motivate the project team.
- Ensure behavioural expectations of team members are established.
- Ensure performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely.
- Select, recruit and train team as required.
- Ensure safety and security for all project personnel.
- Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse.
- Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans.
Required Experience
- Minimum 5 years of relevant progressive experience in managing community projects with a focus on monitoring, reporting, development, and coordination.
- Proven experience of project implementation in close collaboration with government authorities.
- Previous work experience with UNOPS or any of the United Nations agencies or I/NGOs.
- Knowledge of UN/UNOPS rules and regulations.
- Experience in the Herat province.
Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, Project Management, or a similar field with 5 years of relevant experience.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, Project Management, or a similar field with 7 years of relevant experience.
- PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification (Desired)
